Going above and beyond to welcome your guests

[Airbnb]

Nothing makes guests feel more welcome than a handwritten note or a bouquet of fresh flowers. And when guests have a memorable stay, they’re more likely to leave glowing reviews, tell their friends and family about your space, and even come back for another visit.

Delighting your guests with a warm greeting can make them feel appreciated, but you don’t have to spend a lot of money. From thoughtful notes to freshly baked treats, here’s how some hosts around the world have gone above and beyond in welcoming their guests:

1. Write a friendly welcome note

When guests are traveling, a personalized welcome can be the difference between feeling homesick and feeling at home. “I have a little chalkboard in each room that welcomes the guests, and I include their names each time,” says host Huma of London. “It's such a small touch, but they really love this.”

You can leave the same sentiment in a handwritten note. “I recently decided to start to leave a welcome treat with a card,” says host Trude of Edsberg, Sweden. In your note, you might include your favorite place to get a coffee or a fun fact about your area.

2. Give your guests a taste of your town

One of the best ways to help your guests get settled is to introduce them to the top spots in your neighborhood. “We have a local bakery that makes a cinnamon cream cake that I happen to love, and I brought one to the first guest,” says host David of San Antonio, Texas, who now treats all of his guests to his favorite cake.

3. Put your own baking skills to work

If you’re a great baker, consider highlighting your hospitality skills by making your specialty for your guests. “I started leaving a few homemade cookies,” says host Beth of Roraima, Brazil. “I get a lot of return business, and the cookies have been commented on multiple times.”

4. Get your guests involved

In addition to offering a sweet treat, host David of San Antonio, Texas, leaves wine for his guests. “There’s a hashtag: #takeabottleleaveabottle,” says David, who encourages guests to replace the bottle they enjoyed with a new one. Over the years, the collection has grown: “We have a wall with five different types of wine,” he says. The one-in, one-out idea makes this an affordable option. You could also try this with books!

5. Create a snack basket

“We realize that people come to have a good time,” says host Jerry of Atlanta. “A lot of times they come back home, and they have the munchies.” So he now stocks his kitchen with a basket of snacks like microwave popcorn, cookies, potato chips, and pretzels.

6. Customize your treat

Get to know your guests, and be aware of their needs. “We leave a treat at check-in,” says host Laura of Frederick, Maryland. “Sometimes it’s local cheese, chocolate, or baked goods. Sometimes it’s local beer or a bottle of wine.” She messages her guests about any dietary restrictions first: “Not everyone drinks or can eat cheese, so I ask.“

If your guests have kids, a packet of stickers or a few juice boxes can be a thoughtful surprise. “If there are children, I leave a lollipop or small bag of candy and a small box of crayons [with a] coloring book,” says host Ann of New York City. And if your guests are traveling with pets, consider having dog treats on hand to share with their furry friends.

7. Show off your local culture

If there’s something inexpensive that your region is known for—such as leis in Hawaii—consider leaving something small to delight your guests at check-in. “One of the biggest things that we provide here is Mardi Gras beads,” says host Jordan of New Orleans. Guests appreciate these souvenirs, which can help them remember their stay long after checkout.

8. Get a little help from nature

From fresh flowers to homegrown vegetables, guests love the great outdoors. “I pick a sweet little bouquet for the guest room from my garden,” says host Sarah of Sayulita, Mexico. Fresh fruit or vegetables from a garden can also work well. Don’t have a garden? Inexpensive flowers from the grocery store or local market can be a colorful way to welcome your guests.

9. Save money by buying in bulk

Stocking up on supplies can save you time and money, but you can still add your special touch. Host Karen of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, buys her cookies wholesale, “which provides us with a super low-cost biscuit,” she says. She also found a quick way to personalize the treats: “We bought a sealer, and we package and seal the biscuits with our own label.”

10. Celebrate special occasions

Whether guests are visiting during a birthday, anniversary, or holiday, you can help make their stay even more memorable. “We had one couple staying for New Year's, so we got them a bottle of champagne,” says host Damon of Atlanta. Host Jennifer of Ontario, Canada, also keeps the occasion in mind. “If a guest is here for a specific celebration—birthday, honeymoon—I leave a little something appropriate to mark their celebration,” she says.

Going above and beyond to welcome your guests is always appreciated but remember: Hospitality doesn’t have to cost anything. A handwritten note can still show your guests you’re thinking of them, which can make all the difference when they’re far from home.

[Giuliana142]

I see your point of view. Your location also defines the kind of guests you get. A big city will have different concerns that you may never hear about. Lucky for you.

In big cities such as Toronto, Canada, take the money is not the only issue. The most worrisome part is who you get the money from, legalities, crime, neglect, property damages, ... there are many filters we have to deal with .... people and places have their variations.

[Xanthi3]

I totally agree with you, Rupert, as I do with Giulianna142 too....The truth is that yes, AIRBNB are great and have established something really organised in detail, which they try to improve with every opportunity...I believe it's like a 'live' organism which constantly develops through obstacles  and turns them to evolution and progress for the whole community. What us people ( hosts ) usually get confused about, ( as I myself  first was ), is the lowering price tips of Airbnb... I tried and figured it out myself , though, since there were times I believe I was even...offended about anyone telling me to lower my price for a property which I consider a 'little gem'...

An algorithm, which processes all the factors and numbers that have as an outcome a simple number of an overnight stay, does not see or identify the human factor involved for the 'realization' of the virtue of HOSPITALITY. An algorithm, compares for example, the offer and demand of the properties of an area which are suitable for 'two' guests, let's say, and give you a suggested number of money per night....They don't know if one property has cheap furniture and other items for use, or if it has  heavy antique renovated pieces of furniture, or a bathroom and a kitchen renovated from scratch, or expensive appliances, or any pieces of art...An algorithm does not know what hosts might  offer to guests apart from the walls and content of a property to make them feel welcome, and that they can customise all that to make each booking special for them. But THERE HAS TO BE an ALGORITHM, which, irrelevant to all the above, will give you the COLD FACT about how much your property should cost per night, if ALL properties housing the same number of people would like to be full most of the time. The algorithm is there simply to try and divide equal parts of the PIE to hosts! But with all that diversity among 'similar' properties and ways hosts use to express their hospitality to guests, as you can understand, you can't rely on the number given by an algorithm, because it could not reflect the value of your property! Simple. This means though you could be less full than other properties, but it's clearly because you aim to other guests and not the ones which choose Airbnb properties just because of a price. You decide to be less full BY CHOICE. And if you have MORE quality to offer from 'similar' place, why should you aim to those guests anyway? Let's not 'Fire' Airbnb and let's try to be flexible and combine all the information we have available for the best. There is no other way besides combination and flexibility and changes, to run our business. No magic plan there! Airbnb knows that, thats why they let us have a choice of using 'smart pricing' or other suggestions, OR NOT ! They know this GAP!

[Robinson-A0]

Love it

[Robinson-A0]

Love it, thanks 

[Jo492]

I get the ‘compare similar listings in your region’ garbage and I see one of my own listings with a false nightly price under it so I give no credit to those emails/ads at all. 

[Peter1831]

Wow, they falsely lower your own listings price to make it look cheaper than it is?? That is major cheek... in fact they're lying!!!

[Gary783]

We just give our guests our very best effort and it seems appreciative. 

We ate probably at 25 percent returnees as they know we take care of them.

(We are in myrtle beach,  south Carolina. )

[Judith177]

Airbnb, will you be taking the legal liability for suggesting we provide alcohol to our guests? If we provide it, and they drive while under the influence, the host would be liable! No way will I take that risk! And stop nagging us to provide more while nagging us to charge less! Airbnb has steadily increased its fees, so guests perceive us as less of a bargain through no fault of our own, and downrate us on "value".

[Giuliana142]

@Judith177  Bravo, I totally agree with you. Circumstances may look innocent but may also become very complicated, depending who your guest is. For that reason, I am very strict. The give more, expect less doesn’t work either. It is not a healthy balance. 

[Marilyn363]

I love doing Airbnb in my home.  The best part is meeting so many cool, interesting and fun people.

I am sorry to hear others not making as much profit on their rooms.  I have to say I have been self employed for over 40 years in different businesses and this is the easiest money I ever made.  My success  a great location near a college and hospital and a gateway city to tourist areas.  I make sure my place is clean, nice looking room, very good mattress, quality bedding and pillows.  I stick to my prices, never discount (nobody really appreciates free, but people always value things they actually pay for). 

I average $22,000.00 per year with a cost of approximately $1,500.00 in supplies and continental breakfast costs per year.  Since opening I have refurbished rooms, including bedding, décor, TVs, mattresses and new flooring.  ($10,000.00 spent which upgraded the value of our home, paid by guest stays).  So for those two empty rooms in my home I'm ahead about $1,7000.00 a month so far.  I expect it to increase in the next years as I have now finished all my upgrades.  Like I said easy money for a little cleaning a couple times a week and some time of my phone talking to guests.  Thank you Airbnb!

[Peter-Patrick0]

I rent out a very stylish 3 bedroom apartment which does have expensive items in it. An extensive art collection and so on. One guest .... .accidentally they claimed, took a $7,000 king size Versace bed cover....how do you accidentally take something like that?

the threat of reporting to the police saw it returned very quickly.

Another guest raided the locked booze cupboard. They were smart enough to leave the full boxes at the front, the the row behind, all the boxes of Bellverdere vodka were empty.

oh well, **bleep** happens I guess

[Giuliana142]

I’m still trying to picture an air mattress with a Versace bed cover. Great story for grandkids.

[Joe41]

Super host for 6 years now. The only time I reduce rates is repeat customers.  There are times I will just charge 25 dollars. These are the frequent guests that stay 3 or 4 times a year. Refrigerater is stocked with bottled water, milk,juice,eggs, muffins, bacon and condiments. We also provide fresh pastries, fruit and a homemade trail mix that always gets compliments. We are hosting to meet guests and make use of empty cabin on our farm. All profits are rolled right back into cabin. New appliances, flooring, beds. Bathroom remodel. Not making a ton of money but the cabin has improved 100%. For those who feel I'm giving way to much. The guests really appreciate not having to run to store after traveling. And most show it by leaving a generous tip or gift. Happy travels fellow hosts.

[Giuliana142]

@Airbnb @Peter-Patrick0 @Ana263 @Wanda76 @Marilyn363  Just received an email saying “10 ways to make your guests feel special”.

Did Airbnb can come up with “10 ways to make the host feel special”?

After all - our work, time and money we invest to rent our places should be better rewarded. A better financial motivation could be rewarded for our risk taking, good will and efforts. It’s never easy to open doors to a complete stranger.
How come hosts don’t receive some items with the Airbnb logo on them, such as keychains, mini soaps, mini chocolates,  complimentary items that guests would appreciate?

 I am not into points or priding myself as a superhost. There’s something about that title that doesn’t sit well with me. There is no superguest, is there? This sounds a bit supernatural to me...

I do have superbills, I must admit.

[Paula360]

“10 ways to make the host feel special”  brilliant!

I'm not up for the "products" gifts as those small items are what makes the tourist industry so environmentally challenging.

However, after a certain time of being a superhost Airbnb offered me a $100 travel voucher. Brilliant idea. Except I was given such a tiny window to use it and then it expired.

I think this sort of incentive from Airbnb is a fabulous idea and should be developed to work better.